Air wall building structure



N0V 17, 1953 R. P. CARROLL*V AIR WALL BUILDING STRUCTURE 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed April 25, 1951 Nov. 17, 1953 RQ P. CARROLL 659,110

AIR WALL BUILDING STRUCTURE Filed April 25, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z/ zz INVENTOA BY MMM ATTORNEY NOV- 17, 1953 R. P. CARROLL AIR WALL BUILDING STRUCTURE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 25, 1951 INVENTOR o E aerlrralg Z/ mvg@ may@ ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 17, 1953 AIR. WALL BUILDING STRUCTURE Robert P. Carroll, Kent, Ohio, assigner to Davey Compressor Company, Kent, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application April'25, 1951, Serial No. 222,905

22 Claims.

This invention relates to a relatively rigid air wall building structure, and more particularly to an extensible structure having a relatively rigid inflated wall for use in extending building structures, trailer bodies and the like.

An important object of the invention is to provide a novel structure by means of which a building such as a shop, trailer` body, etc., may be extended in size to provide additional space within the structure.

More specifically, an object of the invention is to provide a building structure wherein one wall of the structure may be opened and wherein the structure is provided with means for supporting in position an inflatable wall structure whereby the interior of the building structure may be enlarged for any useful purpose,

A further object is to provide such a building structure wherein the wall adapted to be opened is in the form of movable sections, one of which forms the ceiling or roof and the other the floor or the extensible structure, the wall of such extensible structure being in the form of a normally deflated lexible wall adapted to be moved outwardly and supported relative to the edge poitions of said ceiling and roof and then inflated to become a relatively rigid wall of the extended building structure.

A further object is to provide a normally flexible inflatable wall or the type referred to and to provide in cooperation therewith means forvguiding such wall to an operative position and to engage and iix the wall in position when it is inated.

A further object is to provide such a guiding and position-fixing means for an inflatable wall which cooperates with the wall, when inflated, to provide sealed waterproof joints between the wall and the ceiling and licor structures.

A further object is to provide means for facilitating the moving of the movable building wall elements to positions forming the floor and roof of the extended building structure and for supporting such floor and root elements in position,

ther objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the drawings, l have shown two embodiments of the invention. ln this showing,

Figure l is a perspective View of a building structure showing the invention applied, parts being broken away for the purpose or" illustration,

Figure 2 is a sectional view talren generally in the plane indicated by the line 2--2 in Figure 1,

Figure is a sectional view on line 3-3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing a portion of one of the guide tracks and associated elements connected to the door portion of the extensible building wall and illustrating a portion of the inatable wall,

Figure 5 is a detailed sectional View on line 5 5 of Figure 2,

Figure 6 is a sectional view similar to Figure 2 showing a modied form of construction,

Figure '7 is a sectional View on line l-'i of Figure 6,

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view on line 88 of Figure 3, or along a corresponding line in Figure 7, and

Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view on line t-Q of Figure 1.

Referring to Figure 1, the numeral lo deslgnates a building structure as a whole which may be supported in any suitable manner (not shown). The structure l0 may be any conventional building structure supported on piers or a foundation, or it may be a vehicle trailer body or the like. The structure is shown as having a roof II, floor I 2, rear wall I3 and forward wall I4, the latter of which is provided with a door I5 shown as being accessible by steps l5. The structure I9 is provided with side walls each indicated as a whole by the numeral Il. Either or both of these side walls may be made extensible in accordance with the present invention, and both have been so illustrated in Figure 1.

Each side wall is formed of upper and lower sections 2&3 and 2l grooved as at 22 (Figures 4 and 6) to provide an overlapping joint when the sections 20 and 2l are in closed position as indicated by the broken lines in Figure 6. The wall sections 2 and 2l are respectively hinged as at 23 and 2li to the roof II and floor I2, and when the building structure is extended as shown in Figures l and 6, the wall sections 2li and 2| form the ceiling or roof and licor of the extended building section as further described below.

Means may be provided for mechanically moving the wall sections 2li and 2l to their extended positions. One means for accomplishing this is shown in Figures 2 and 3, and a modiied form of means is shown in Figures 6 and 7. Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the numeral 2B designates a pair of posts, one arranged adjacent each of the building walls i3 and l adjacent one of the side walls. This post is fixed at its ends to the roof II and iloor I2. A pair of collars 2e and 35 is mounted to slide on each post 23 and a fixed stop member 3l surrounds the post 28 intermediate the ends thereof to act as a stop member for each of the collars when the latter are in their operative positions shown in Figure 2. Each collar 26 has pivoted thereto as at 32 (Figure 5) a reach rod 33, the other end of which is pivotally connected as at 34 to a bracket S iiXed to the floor section 2|. Each collar 36 has pivotally connected thereto as at 36 one end .of .a .reach .rod 31., the other end of which is pivotally connected as .at 38 to a bracket 36 xed to the roof section 26. When the sections 2D and 2| are moved to the broken line position in Figure 2 to form a side wall of the building structure, the collars 29 rand v3i) are -ialso in the broken line positions in Figure 2. When the wall sections 26 and 2| are v.swung outwardly to form roof and floor sections of the building extension, the collars 29 and 36 contact the stop member 3| to limit movement oi the sections 20 and 2| away from each other.

Each collar 29 and 36 has connected thereto as at 42 (Figures 2 .and 5) one end of a cable 43 which passes around upper and lower pulleys 44 ,xed to each post 28. As shown in dotted lines in Figure v3, the cable 43 is crossed over to reverse the movement of the collars 29 and 36 upon movement of the cable 43. Thus when the collar 2S is moved upwardly, 'the collar 30 moves downwardly and vice versa. By pulling on the cables 43 associated with the posts '23 adjacent one side wall ofthe building structure, the wall sections 26 and 2| may be moved inwardly or outwardly. Each wall section 26 and 2| is provided with a continuous track indicated as a whole by the numeral 46 and extending throughout the width and .length of each such section. In other words, each track 46 comprises a portion `4'! extending from end to end of the longitudinal edge of each section 2|) and 2|; .and sections 4S extending throughout the length of the forward and rear edges of such wall sections.

Each track unit .is formed in section as shown in detail in Figure 4 and comprises a bottom wall 51|. This showing, ofcourse, is the arrangement .of the track relative to the wall section 2| and the wall 50 will be the top wall .of the track 46 .of the upper wall section 2B. The track, however, will be described with relation to its showing in Figure 4 and it will be understood that this description applies to the track .46 of the wall section `2|! except that the track will be inverted. Each track turns upwardly at the extremities of the .bottom wall 50 as at 5|, then inwardly as at 52 and then upwardly as `at 53. The elements 50, 5| and 52 constitute the track proper for rollers, one pair of which is ,shown in Figure 4, and these rollers will be described in detail later. The material from which the track sections 46 are made is relatively stiff, and it will be apparent that the side wall portions 53, which extend upwardly a substantial distance from the inwardly extending wall portions 52, will be relatively stiff but aord some slight degree of resiliency. lActually, as will become apparent, the side wall portions 53 may be fully rigid.

The inatable wall portion of the structure is indicated as a whole by the numeral 56. This wall structure comprises opposite flexible wall elements 51, each of which is .formed of a relatively heavy fabric, provided with a rubber or other waterproof and impervious coating and the fabric layers of the wall sections 51 are connected by cords 58 closely arranged relative to each other throughout the areas of the fabric layers. These cords are woven into the fabric layers, and while they do not possess great tensile strength individually, the multitude of closely arranged cords provides a high degree of tensile strength in the cords to limit movement of the wall sections 51 away from each other.

ln accordance with the present invention, the top and bottom edges of the wall sections 51 are brought together as at 59 and a reinforcing flexible `covering 6.6 `is cemented .over the adjacent `outer surfaces of the wall :sections V5?! Land extends beyond the free edges of the track walls 53.

.At spaced points along the seam provided by the members 56 and 66 are arranged U-shaped Iclips 64 `formed of metal having punched-in lips d5 .to clinch .them relative to the sealing beads vof the flexible wall. Each clip 64 is connected by a pivot pin .56., in the form of a rivet, to a roller carrier 6l preferably of inverted U-shape as shown 4"in Figure 4, and each end of this carrier is provided with rollers 68 adapted to travel in the grooves formed by the adjacent wall portions 5i), 5| and 52. All of the structure just described in connection with 'Figure 4 is duplicated, of course, at vthe top of the wall l56 and forms the means for connecting -such wall to the wall section 26.

A horizontal sectional View of one end of the iniiatable wall r56 is shown in Figure 9, each vertical end of the wall 51'5 has 4its edges 'broughttogether as at 'i0 and covered by a `cealing strip H cemented therearound as shown in Figure 9. The forward end of the wall 56, which is the end shown in Figure 9, is provided at spaced points with straps 12 carrying snap fastener sockets i3 adapted for connection with conventional stud members 14. It will become apparent that any suitable type of means, in place ofthe snap a-steners, may be employed for securing the forward edge of the inflatable wall 56 to the front wall i4 of the building structure. The rear edge of the inflatable lwall is sealed in the same manner as .the forward edge shown in Figure 9 and is adapted to bewound upon a reel to be described. All four edges of the wall 56 accordingly are sealed, and the wall 56 is iniiatable. This 'is accomplished by connecting a hose `from a suitable source of pressure to a 'valve '76 (Figure l.) which may be located at any desired or convenient point internally or externally `of the wall 56.

The rear extremity of the wall 55 is adapted to be wound upon a reel 'I8 (Figure 1). This reel may be provided at its ends with stub shafts 19 journaled respectively in the roof and floor I2 of thebuilding structure. Any suitable means may be employed for winding the wall 56 on the reel '18, and merely for the purpose of illustration, ythe lower vstub shaft i9 (Figure 2) has been shown as being provided with a polygonal end engageable by a socket wrench 8|) or similar implement.

In Figures 6 and 7 of the drawings, I have shown a somewhat modified type of means for moving the wall sections 20 and 2| between open and closed positions. The parts in Figures 6 and -7 ywhich correspond to parts already described 'have been indicated by the same `reference numerals. It will become apparent that the means for moving the walls 20 and 2| in both forms of the invention operate as counterbalancing meansl any gravitational force tending to move one of these wall sections downwardly transmitting mechanical forces tending to move the other wall section upwardly.

Referring to Figures 6 and '7, the numeral -85 indicates each of a pair of shafts associated with each wall I3 and I4. Each of these shafts `supports a pulley 81 and a cable 86 passes around the pulleys 8l and is crossed as shown in'Figure 7 to reverse the rotation of the pulleys. Each pulley has fixed thereto an arm B8 to one end of which is pivotally connected a link 89 as at Se. The other ends of the links 8s are pivotally connected as at Si respectively to the wall sections 20 and 2i. It will be apparent that by pulling on the cable 8b, the pulleys 8l will be reversely rotated to eiect opening or closing movement of the wall sections 2&3 and 2! These sections, when closed, occupy the broken line positions in Figure 6, and under such conditions, the arms 88 and links 89 are arranged in the broken line positions shown in the saine iigure, in alignment with the axes of the shafts 85.

Operation The operation of the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 5, 8 and 9 is as follows. The structure lil may be a shed or other building, a vehicle trailer body, etc. The present invention is highly useful in enlarging the available space in the structure l@ for any useful purposes. For example, this structure may be a shop trailer containing tools and machines movable to the sites of repair jobs, etc., and the width yof the trailer body would be limited by State laws.

The present invention provides means whereby the available space may be substantially tripled. Normally, the wall sections 23 and 3i are closed as shown in broken lines in Figure 2. When it is desired to expand the space within the structure i at one side thereof, operators will pull on the cables i3 to move the collars 29 and St toward each other, thus transmitting forces through the links 3l and 33 to swing outwardly the wall sections 29 and 2l. The crossing of the cable it between the pulleys M reverses the rotation or" these pulleys, and accordingly reverses the direction of movement of the collars 252 and li transmitted thereto by the cable through its connections 42. The collars 29 and 3i) are mechanically connected to each other by the cable, and any gravitational force tending to move the roei section 2t downwardly will tend to move the floor section 2l upwardly. The sections 2t and 2i, being approximately the same size and weight, will counterbalance each other and they will remain in their horizontal positions when moved to such positions.

The wall 555, under the conditions now being considered, will be completely delated and will be wound upon the reel l. The rear portions 't8 of the upper and lower track structures lil will terminate adjacent the reel "i8, and the first wheel carrier Si arranged adjacent such track sections at the top and bottom of the wall 46 will be inserted in these track sections. In any suitable manner, the operator will then move the inflatable wall 56 to its operative position shown in Figure l. This may be done, for example, merely by grasping one or more of the straps i2 and pulling on the wall S to unwind it from the reel l. Successive wheel carries Sl may be fed into the upper and lower track structures fil. Thus the wall 5e may be ied across the rear of the extended building structure, then forwardly along the side thereof, and thence inwardly across the iront of the extended structure. The snap fasteners i3 are then connected to the .studs le, or the front edge of the inflatable wall 56 is connected to the wall Ui in any other desired manner.

It will be apparent that during the foregoing operation, the wall 56 will be relatively soft and limp, and this is necessary for the free movement of the wall 55 to its operative position. However, it is not necessary at this time for the wall 56 to function as a connecting support between the wall sections 2b and 2i. As a matter of fact, these wall sections are self-sustaining in the absence oi loads because of the counterbalancing action referred to. Of course, when the loor section 2i is used and subjected to weight, the counte'rbalancing action no longer will be eiective and accordingly, it is preferred that some supporting means be employed beneath the outer edge portions of the floor section 2l. Such supports may be in the form of blocks or the like, but it is preferred that conventional jacks be employed as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

After the wall 5t has been extended to operative position, a pump hose is applied to the valve it to inflate the wall 5t. This wall, when inflated, will possess a remarkable degree of rigidity. It is necessary only to innate the wall 55 ordinarily to eight or ten pounds pressure per square inch. However, this is not critical, and higher pressures may be employed. The multiplicity of closely arranged connecting threads or cords 5S holds opposite wall layers 5l Xedly in parallel relation. Each cord 55, of course, possesses a relatively low degree of tensile strength, as stated, but the actual tensile strength resisting movement of the wall layers 5l is very high because of the use of such a great number of the closely arranged cords 5t.

Referring to Figure e, attention is invited to the fact that the parallel walls 53, which are relatively stili", are normally arranged a distance apart slightly less than the width ci the wall 56 across the sealing layer till. The same is true of the cooperative relation between the parts associated with the roof section 2Q. When the wall 5t is fully inated, therefore, the sides of the sealing members El@ will tightly engage the parallel walls 53 in sealing association. therewith. Thus the interior of the structure is eectively sealed against the entrance of air and water. The sealing of the structure against the entrance of air is important in cold weather, and it is possible to keep the interior of the structure comfortably warm because of the insulating,characteristics of the body of air within the wall 5t.

it will be obvious that both sides of the structure may be extended as shown in Figure l, thus substantially tripling the space within the structure. The floor sections 2i, of course, form continuations of the floor l2 and accordinglyfacilitate the use of the expanded space within the structure. As stated, both sides of the structure may be made extensible, and one or both sides may be extended at any particular time, as may be desired.

When it is desired to restore the structure to its normal condition, the valve it will be opened to vent the interior of the wall 55 to the atmosphere. The wrench dii or any other suitable means use-d for turning the reel 'it then may be operated to wind the wall 55 on the reel. The opening of the valve "i5 permits the collapsing of the cords 58 as the winding operation proceeds, the opposite wall layers 5l' thus moving substantially flat against each other to be wound on the reel. The cable is then may be operated to swing the wall sections se and 2l back to their normal positions shown in broken lines in Figure 2. The same operation, of course, will be performed at the opposite side of the structure if the latter has been extended at both sides. .The

wall sections and 2l may be locked in closed position by any suitable means (not shown) forming no part o1" the present invention. It also will be apparent that suitable means of any desired type may be employed for providing a leak-proof joint between the wall or roof section 2ii and the roof l! when the structure is opened, as shown in Figure 2.

The wheeled devices for supporting the wall E@ for movement, one or which devices is shown in Figure 4, are preferably employed for facilitating movement of the wall 55 between operative and normal positions. The bottom of the wall may slide on the floor section 2| if desired, but the anti-friction means shown greatly facilitates the operation. After the structure has been restored to normal position, of course, the wrench Ell and the supporting jacks will be removed.

The operation of the orin oi the device shown in Figures 6 and 7 is very similar to the operation of the structure shown in Figures 2 and 3. rEhe pulling of the cable 85 will reversely rotate the pulleys Si', thus reversely swinging the arms 88 to simultaneously open or close the wall sections Eil and 2 l, depending upon the directions of rotational movement oi the pulleys Sl.

The present construction provides relatively simple and quickly and easily operable means for increasing the capacity of any structure such as a small shed or building, or a vehicle trailer. While it might appear that the normally highly flexible nature of the inflatable wall would not result in the provision of an operative wall possessing a practicable degree of rigidity, this clearly is not the case. rlhe rigidity or the inflatable wall is substantially beyond what normally would be expected. Any blows which might be struck against this wall to tend to move the upper and lower ends thereof downwardly and upwardly respectively would be absorbed by the arrangement of the wheels 68 in their tracks and by the tight rictional engagement of the ceiling layers 6] with the parallel walls 55B. This frictional engagement, as stated, is suiiiciently tight to exclude water and air and is provided only when the wall is inated. When the wall is dellated, it is freely movable along the several trackways.

I claim:

l. A building structure comprising upper and lower spaced supports forming parallel guideways, and an inatable wall having opposite irnpervious surface layers and flexible connecting elements therebetween to limit movement of said layers away from each other, the edges of said layers being sealed, the upper and lower edges of said wall being movable along said guideways, and a valve for the introduction of fluid pressure into said wall.

2. A building structure comprising upper and lower spaced supports forming parallel guideways, and an iniiatable wall having opposite im pervious surface layers and flexible connecting elements therebetween to limit movement of said layers away from each other, the edges of said layers being sealed, said guideways having parallel llanges between which the upper and lower edges of said wall are movable to be guided by said guideways, and a valve carried by said wall for the introduction of fluid pressure thereinto.

3. A building structure comprising upper and lower spaced supports forming parallel guideways, and an inflatable wall having opposite impervious surface layers and flexible connecting elements therebetween, the edges of said layers being sealed, said guideways having parallel lflanges between which the upper and lower edges of said wall are movable to be guided by said guideways and a valve carried by said wall for the introduction of fluid pressure thereinto, saidv connecting elements limiting movement of the layers o said wall away from each other to a predetermined distance apart at least as great as the distance between said flanges whereby, when said wall is inflated, said layers frictionally en gage said flanges.

4. A building structure comprising upper and lower spaced supports forming parallel guideways, and an inflatable wall having opposite impervious surface layers and flexible connecting elements therebetween to limit movement of said layers away from each other, the edges of said layers being sealed, said .guideways having parallel flanges between which the upper and lower edges of said wall are movable to be guided by said guideways, a valve carried by said wall for the introduction of fluid pressure thereinto, said guideways having tracks, and anti-friction devices connected to the upper and lower edges of said wall and having wheels running in said tracks.

5. A building structure comprising upper and lower spaced supports forming parallel guideways, and an inatable wall having opposite impervious surface layers and flexible connecting elements therebetween, the edges of said layers being sealed, said guideways having parallel danges between which the upper and lower edges of said wall are movable to be guided by said guideways, a valve carried by said wall for the introduction of fluid pressure thereinto, said connecting elements limiting movement of the layers oi said wall away from each other to a predetermined distance apart at least as great as the distance between said anges whereby, when said wall is inflated, said layers frictionally engage said langes, said guideways having tracks, and anti-friction devices connected to the upper and lower edges of said wall and having wheels running in said tracks, said wheels, when said wall is deiiated, being freely movable along said tracks, the frictional engagement between said wall and said flanges when said wall is iniiated preventing movement of said wheels along said tracks.

6. A building structure comprising upper and lower spaced supports forming parallel guideways, and an inflatable wall having opposite impervious surface layers and flexible connecting elements therebetween to limit movement of said layers away from each other, the edges of said layers being sealed, the upper and lower edges of said wall being movable along said gudeways, a valve for the introduction of iuid pressure into said Wall, and a reel arranged adjacent one end of said guideways and upon which said wall, when deflated, is adapted to be wound.

7. A building structure comprising upper and lower spaced supports forming parallel guideways, and an inatable wall having opposite impervious surface layers and iiexible connecting elements therebetween to limit movement of said layers away from each other, the edges or said layers being sealed, said guideways having parallel ilanges between which the upper and lower edges of said wall are movable to be guided by said guideways, a valve carried by said wall for the introduction of fluid pressure thereinto, said guideways having tracks, anti-friction devices connected to the upper and lower edges of said 9` wall and having wheels running in said tracks, 'and a reel arranged adjacent one end of said guideways and upon which said wall, when deiiated, is adapted to be wound.

8. A building structure comprising spaced roof and licor sections, a guideway carried by each of said sections, the guideway carried by said roof section opening downwardly and the guideway carried by said floor section opening upwardly, said guideways being in vertical alignment and forming channels, a wall having upper and lower edges movable in said guideways longitudinally thereof, said wall comprising impervious flexible surface layers, and closely spaced iiexible elements connected therebetween to limit movement of said surface layers away from each other to a predetermined uniform extent, the edges of said layers being sealed to provide a leak-proof space therebetween, and a valve carried by one of said layers for the introduction of iiuid pressure into said wall.

9. A building structure comprising spaced roof and floor sections, a guideway carried by each of said sections, the guideway carried by said roof section opening downwardly and the guideway carried by said floor section opening upwardly, said guideways being in vertical alignment and forming channels, a wall having upper and lower edges movable in said guideways longitudinally thereof, said wall comprising impervious flexible surface layers, and closely spaced flexible elements connected therebetween to limit movement of said surface layers away from each other to a predetermined uniform extent, the edges of said layers being sealed to provide a leak-proof space therebetween, and a valve carried by one of said layers for the introduction of fluid pressure into said wall, said guideways having iianges between which the upper and lower edge portions of said wall are movable, said anges being spaced apart a distance slightly less than the distance between the outer faces of said surface layers when the latter are moved apart said predetermined distance whereby said flanges frictionally engage said surface layers when said wall is inflated.

l0. A building structure comprising spaced roof and floor sections, a guideway carried by each of said sections, the guideway carried by said roof section opening downwardly and the guideway carried by said floor section opening upwardly, said guideways being in vertical alignment and forming channels, a wall having upper and lower edges movable in said guideways longitudinally thereof, said wall comprising impervious flexible surface layers, and closely spaced iiexible elements connected therebetween to limit movement of said surface layers away from each other to a predetermined uniform extent, the edges of .said layers being sealed to provide a leak-proof space therebetween, a valve carried by one of said layers for the introduction of fluid pressure into said wall, said guideways having portions thereof formed as tracks, and a plurality of anti-friction devices carried by each of the upper and lower edges of said wall in spaced relation and each having a wheel movable in the associated track.

11. A building structure comprising spaced roof and iioor sections, a guideway carried by each of said sections, the guideway carried by said roof section opening downwardly and the guideway carried by said floor section opening upwardly, said guideways being in vertical alignment and forming channels, a wall having upper and lower edges movable in said guideways longitudinally thereof, said wall comprising impervious flexible surface layers, and closely spaced flexible elements connected therebetween to limit movementof said surface layers away from each other to a predetermined uniform extent, the edges of said layers being sealed to provide a leak-proof space therebetween, a valve carried by one of said layers for the introduction of uid pressure -into said wall, said guideways having flanges between which the upper and lower edge portions of said wall are movable, said flanges being spaced apart a distance slightly less than the distance between the outer faces of said surface layers when the latter are moved apart said predetermined distance whereby said flanges frictionally engage said surface layers when said wall is inflated, said guideways having portions thereof formed as tracks, and a plurality of anti-friction devices carried by each of the upper and lower edges of said wall in spaced relation and each having a wheel movable in the associated track, said wheels being freely movable in said tracks when said wall is deflated, the frictional engagement of said flanges with said surface layers, when said wall is inflated, preventing movement of said wheels.

12. A building structure comprising spaced roof and hoor sections, a guideway carried by each of said sections, the guideway carried by said roof section opening downwardly and the guideway carried by said floor section opening upwardly, said guideways being in vertical alignment and forming channels, a wall having y upper and lower edges movable in said guideways longitudinally thereof, said wall comprising impervious exible surface layers, and closely spaced exible elements connected therebetween to limit movement of said surface layers away from each other to a predetermined uniform extent, the edges of said layers being sealed to provide a leak-proof space therebetween, a valve carried by one of said layers for the introduction of iiuid pressure into said wall, and a vertical reel extending between said guideways adjacent one end thereof and connected to the adjacent end of said wall whereby rotation of said reel winds said wall thereon when said wall is deflated.

13. A building structure comprising spaced roof and iioor sections, a guideway carried by each of said sections, the guideway carried by said roof section opening downwardly and the guideway carried by said floor section opening upwardly, said guideways being in vertical alignment and forming channels, a wall having upper and lower edges movable in said guideways longitudinally thereof, said wall comprising impervious exible surface layers, and closely spaced flexible elements connected therebetween to limit movement of said surface layers away Y, from each other to a predetermined uniform extent, the edges of said layers being sealed to provide a leak-proof space therebetween, a valve carried by one of said layers for the introduction of iiuid pressure into said wall, said guideways having portions thereof formed as tracks, a plurality of anti-friction devices carried by each of the upper and lower edges of said wall in spaced relation and each having a wheel movable in the-associated track, and a vertical reel extending between said guideways adjacent one end thereof and connected to' the adjacent end 11 of said wall whereby rotation of said reel winds said wall thereon when said wall is deflated.

14. A building structure comprising a roof section and a floor section having en d edges and connecting edges therebetween, a guideway fixed to the bottom of said roof section adjacent said edges thereof and a guideway fixed to the upper surface of said floor section adjacent said edges thereof, said guideways being substantially in vertical registration and being of channel form opening toward each other, and an inflatable wall having its upper and lower edges arranged in the respective guideways, said wall having flexible impervious surface layers and closely arranged fiexible connecting elements extending therebetween to limit movement of said layers away from each other a predetermined distance, the edges of said layers being sealed to provide a leak-proof space betwen said layers, and a valve for introducing air into said wall to inflate it, said wall, when deflated, being highly flexible for movement thereof from end to end of said guideways.

15. A building structure comprising a roof section and a floor section having end edges and connecting edges therebetween, a guideway xed to the bottom of said roof section adjacent said edges thereof and a guideway fixed to the upper surface of said door section adjacent said edges thereof, said guideways being substantially in vertical registration and being of channel form opening toward each other, and an infiatable wall having its upper and lower edges arranged in the respective guideways, said wall having flexible impervious surface layers and closely arranged exible connecting elements extending therebetween to limit movement of said layers away from each other a predetermined` distance, the edges of said layers being sealed to provide a leak-proof space between said layers, a valve for introducing air into said wall to inflate it, said wall, when deflated, being highly flexible for movement thereof from end to end of said guideways, and means for suspending the upper edge of said wall relative to the guideway of said roof section for movement of said wall from end to end of said'guideways.

16. A building structure comprising a roof section anda floor section having end edges and connecting edges therebetween, a guideway fixed to the bottom of said roof section adjacent said edges thereof and a guideway xed to the upper surface of' said floor-section adjacent said edges thereof, said guideways being substantially in vertical registration and being of channel form opening toward each other, and an inatable wall having its upper and lower edges arranged in the respective guideways, said wall having. flexible impervious surface layers and closely arranged iiexible connecting elements extending therebetween to limit movement of said layers away from each other a predetermined distance, the edges of said layers being sealed to provide a leak-proof space between said layers, a valve for introducing air into said wall to inate it, said wall, when deflated, being highly flexible for movement thereofrfrom end to end of said guideways, means for suspending the upper edge of said wall relative to the guideway of said roof section for movement of said wall from end to end of said guideways, and a vertical reel arranged adjacent one end of said guideways and to which one end of said wall is connected to'be wound on said reel when deflated.

k1'?. A buildingv structure, comprisinga roof sectionV and a floor section having end edges and connecting edges therebetween, a guideway Xed to the bottom of said roof section adjacent said edges thereof and a guideway fixed to the upper surface of said floor section adjacent said edges thereof, said guideways being substantially in vertical registration and being of channel form opening toward each other, and an infiatable wall having its upper and lower edges arranged in the respective guideways, said wall having exible impervious surface layers and closely arranged exible connecting elements extending therebetween to limit movement of said layers away from each other a predetermined distance, ther edges of said layers being sealed to provide a leak-proof space between said layers, a valve for introducing air into said wall to innate it, said wall when deflated, being highly iexible for movement thereof from end to end of said guideways, means for suspending the upper edge of said'wall relative to the guideway of said roof section for movement of said wall from end to end of said guideways, each guideway being provided with anges between which the adjacent edge of said wall is movable, said iianges being spaced apart a distance slightly less than th@ distance between the outer faces of said surface layers when the latter are moved apart said predetermined distance to effect frictional engagement of said surface layers with said flanges.

18. A building structure comprising a roof section and a iioor section having end edges and connecting edges therebetween, a guideway fixed to the bottom of said roof section adjacent said edges thereof and a guideway xed to the upper surface of said floor section adjacent said edge thereof, said guideways being substantially in vertical registration and being of channel form opening toward each other, and an iniiatable wail having its upper and lower edges arranged in the respective guideways, said wall having fiexible impervious surface layers and closely arranged flexible connecting elements extending herebe. tween to limit movement of said layers away from each other a predetermined distance, the edges of said layers being sealed to provide a leali-proof space between said layers, a valve for introducing air into said wall to innate it, said wall, when deflated, being highly iiexible for movement thereof from end to end of said guide-ways, each of said'guideways having opposite laterally extending channels forming tracks, and spaced anti-friction elements connected to the upper and lower edges of said wall and each having wheels movable in said tracks.

19. Apparatus constructed in accordance with claim 18 wherein said guideways further cornprise spaced fi: nges between which the upperrand lower edge portions of said wall are movable, said anges being spaced apart such distance as to frictionally engage such edge portions of said wall when the latter is infiated.

20. Apparatus constructed in accordance with claim i8 wherein said guideways further comprise spaced anges between which the upper and lower edge portions of said wall are movable, said flanges being spaced apart such distance as to frictionally engage such edge portions of said wall when the latter is inated, and a reel extending vertically between said guideways at one end thereof and to which one end of said wall is connected whereby said wall, when deflated, is windable upon said reel.

2l. A building structure comprising a roof and door, and a side. wall formed` ofrsections. hinged respectively to said roof and said floor, said sections being approximately of equal width, means for swinging said sections outwardly to horizontal positions to form roof and floor sections each having end edges and a side edge extending outwardly from said roof and door, guideways carried by said roof and floor sections against the lower and upper faces thereof respectively and adjacent said edges thereof, said guideways being vertically registered and forming channels opening toward each other, an inatable wall having upper and lower edge portions movable from end to end of said guideways, said wall comprising impervious surface layers sealed at their edges to provide a leak-proof space therebetween, and eXible elements connecting said surface layers to each other to limit movement of said layers away from each other when said wall is inated, and a valve for the introduction of pressure uid into said wall to inflate it.

22. Apparatus constructed in accordance with claim 21 wherein the means for swinging said wall sections outwardly comprises upper and lower pulleys, a cable passing around said pulleys and crossed therebetween to reverse rotation of said pulleys upon the pulling of said cable, and mechanical means for transmitting movement to said oor and roof sections upon operation of said pulleys incident to movement of said cable.

ROBERT P. Ci ROLL References Cited in the file 0f this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 468,455 Giessmann l- Feb. 9. 1892 1,83%,364 Knudsen Nov. 3, 1931 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 18,500 Great Britain Sept. 29, 1894 

